The U.S. Senate yesterday voted to create a national database for opioid use, a measure originally included in a House bill sponsored by U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota. 

“It’s encouraging to read today in USA Today that nearly 70 percent of physicians are prescribing fewer pain medications in light of the opioid crisis,” Buchanan says. “I hope my legislation gives doctors and patients the information they need to continue this positive trend.”

Buchanan introduced the Centralized Opioid Guidance Act in May with co-sponsor U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb, D-Pennsylvania. The bill was included in a conference report combining legislation from the House and Senate, including Buchanan's bill.

Buchanan represents a district that’s been particularly hard-hit by the opioid crisis, and has worked for the past two years on legislation in Washington while lawmakers like state Rep. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, tackled the effort in Tallahassee.

Manatee County remains one of the worst impacted communities in the state, with 984 heroin overdoses in 2016 and 2,504 reported Narcan and Naxolone doses, according to the Florida Behavioral Health Association. The county experienced 126 opioid deaths in 2015, and saw a 174-percent jump in deaths between 2012 and 2015.

When Buchanan first unveiled this legislation, he noted that drug overdoses now count as the leading cause of death for Americans under the age of 50.

The new legislation, if signed into law by President Trump, will require the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to create a widely available resource guide with prescribing guidelines for the potentially life-threatening drugs. The move previously won recommendation by the President’s Commission on Combatting Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis. 

Local healthcare providers said the new database should help patients and physicians alike important information on best practices for opioid use. 

“Currently, it is difficult and time-consuming to access trusted federal opioid prescribing guidelines,” says Centerstone Florida CEO Melissa Larkin-Skinner. “In requiring the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to post all relevant opioid prescribing guidelines in one online space, more patients and providers will be able to quickly seek out and reference the most up-to-date and trusted opioid prescribing guidelines. We trust this will make a difference not only for the Medicare population, but for all those seeking access to life-changing information." 

Graphic courtesy Florida Behavioral Health Association: Manatee County deaths from opioid overdoses increased substantially this decade.

You can have more than one sole mate ladies, so don’t limit yourself to one befitting suitor. At Molly’s! A Chic & Unique Boutique, revel in a vibrant sanctuary filled with fun personal shoppers and a quality collection of shoes, jewelry, handbags and gifts. And now, you don’t have to tire the same leg candy, day in and day out. With Lindsay Phillips Switchflops, you can “change your look, but not your sole.” Browse the designer’s collection of customizable shoes to adorn your feet’s attire no matter what outfit the occasion calls for. You and your wing women can choose from a wide selection of interchangeable embellishments called Snaps and Straps. The clip-on accessories come in styles such as Bridal, Flowers, Bling, Holiday, Monogrammable, Nautical, Team Spirit and Solids—only requiring a simple bend...and snap (sorry, had to do it). The removable straps come in a variety of patterns as well—themed with Prints, Animal, Bridal, Holiday, Western, Nautical and Solids—and velcro perfectly onto the seam for a feeling of flair.

Snaps and Straps are normally $15, but with Molly’s! sale this season, they are currently reduced 20% off. Additional Lindsay Phillips shoe styles ranging from wedding flip flops, travel sandals and fall booties are also on sale at the moment—20% to 50% off. But with limited sizes in each, don’t wait too long to let the next love of your life walk out on you. 

Photos provided by Lindsay Phillips.

Molly's! A Chic & Unique Boutique, 1874 Stickney Point Road, Sarasota, 941-921-1221.

For those who choose not to imbibe, the world is changing. Long gone are the days of resigning oneself to sickly sweet Shirley Temples or beverages featuring the word “virgin.” The mocktail revolution is in full swing, with dazzling concoctions created for those who prefer to drink less—or not at all.

Fins at Sharky’s is leading the pack, featuring four varied mocktails for the adventure-seeking customer. The raspberry mule is the breakout star; delicately crafted, this drink may appear sweet, but isn’t afraid to pack a tart punch. With a base of raspberry and refreshing Fever Tree ginger beer, the mule is topped with club soda and a spritz of lime juice. The sparkling beverage is finished with a creamy, house-made lemon foam; combining egg white powder, simple syrup and lemon juice into fluffy perfection and garnished – of course – with fresh raspberries.

Grab a drink menu and belly up to the bar; Fins at Sharky’s is ready to impress! 

1600 Harbor Dr. S, Venice

The Players Centre for Performing Arts has announced that the sale of its property on 9th street and North Tamiami Trail in Downtown Sarasota is completed. The buyer wishes to remain anonymous at this time. The Players has also entered into a two-year lease back agreement. This allows The Players to lease the property as of Oct. 1, 2018 for a full two years, until Oct. 1, 2020.

The timeline for The Players new performing arts complex in Lakewood Ranch’s Waterside Place has shifted since the sale of the property from an initial buyer fell through this summer. Now the theater will invest in the completion of its architectural design for the next six to eight months and break ground in 2019. With community support, the new Players Centre for Performing Arts will be up and running in 2021.

Real estate agent Ian Black of Ian Black Real Estate has handled the sale of the property with Jag Grewal, CCIM, partner at Ian Black Real Estate handling the sale for the buyer. 

The Players Centre for Performing Arts

The South Florida Museum has announced a new Saturday morning program, STREAM Saturdays, that integrates science and learning with fun, hands-on activities. Designed for kids in first through fifth grades and their families, STREAM Saturdays will be offered from 10am to noon on the third Saturday of the month, October through May. The program is included in the cost of regular Museum admission; no registration is required. Museum Members always visit for free. The new program moves beyond STEM—science, technology, math and engineering—to incorporate the latest buzz in education: STREAM, which adds Reading to the equation. During STREAM Saturdays, families will find hands-on, family-friendly experiments and games, crafts and stories or themed scavenger hunts. Upcoming programs include “Rediscovering the Moon” on October 20, “The Science of Flight” on November 17 and “Exploring Rocks and Minerals” on December 15. 

South Florida Museum

Sarasota County Schools has announced that the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) has awarded 18 schools with the Five Star School Award and 41 schools with the Golden School Award for the 2017–18 school year. These prestigious awards are given to public, specialty and charter schools statewide. The Five Star School Award is presented annually by the FDOE Commissioner's Community Involvement Council to schools that have demonstrated in-depth community involvement. In order to earn this designation, a school must prove that it has achieved 100 percent of the established criteria and must also earn a grade of "C" or above, or school improvement rating of "maintaining or improving" for the year of nomination. Similarly, the Golden School Award is issued annually. The award recognizes elementary, secondary and adult schools that report a minimum of 80 percent of school staff participation in training related to school volunteerism. Additionally, the total number of hours of volunteer service of the school must equal twice the number of students enrolled in the school. For a complete list of local award-winning schools, visit the link below. 

Sarasota County Schools Award Winners

In an effort to make Sarasota County a dementia-caring community, local community stakeholders have partnered with the Florida Department of Elder Affairs in a state-wide initiative: The Dementia Care and Cure Initiative (DCCI). The Sarasota County DCCI Task Force has announced a new free program to make businesses and organizations officially Dementia-Caring. The DCCI task force is focusing on raising awareness by providing a free educational module on dementia sensitivity. Participating organizations will gain a better understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias that can provide a welcoming, respectful environment as well as learn about local resources to assist persons living with dementia and their caregivers and family members. Businesses and organizations that complete the module will receive a DCCI decal to display. With this decal, families and individuals affected by dementia will be able to easily identify businesses and other community entities that are trained on inclusive and interactive techniques. A kickoff event at 1888 Brother Geenen Way on October 18 at 3pm is open to all interested parties. For more information contact Christine Didion at didionc@elderaffairs.org 

Dementia Care and Cure Initiative

Sara Hand, CEO of Spark Growth, has been announced as a featured speaker at the CEED Global Conference hosted in Tunisia this October 17–19. The CEED Global Conference is structured to facilitate the expansion of attendees’ business networks with spontaneous and planned business-to-business meetings, side events and opportunities to converse before and after central sessions. Hand will present about the successful diversification of Manatee County’s economy and business environment and what challenges and possibilities exist for women entrepreneurs. She’ll join a cadre of other global business leaders and entrepreneurs sharing their approaches to innovation and business growth with each other and a worldwide audience. 

Spark Growth